Dean Guitars Chafin Boca 12-String

Korean Dean Boca 12. Flame (decal?) top on a mahogany back. Master volume and tone, 3 way switch that I can see is a relay style stack switch, unlike the cheap seald affairs they usually put in import guitars. Flat finish maple neck, mini-Grovers, rosewood board. Tun-a-matic style import bridge and stop tailpiece. Two zebra humbuckers which others here have said are the same as their Dime shredders!? I dunno, the p/ups sound kinda bright to me... I'm thinking about changing to P-90 style replacements, but I'm not going to be hasty. Neck seems D-shaped and somewhat flat near the nut. I believe it is the latest edition, 2009. I traded a REALLY nice Fotoflame MIJ Strat straight for it, because I wanted a single neck 12. (I have two doublenecks.)

I play in a Classic Rock Trio, and we have introduced more jangly Tom Petty style stuff to the list. I gig on a 50 watt Marshall half stack or a 30 Gibson Goldtone. I play through a big pedal board, but I'm sure I won't be effecting a twelve except for maybe some delay. I have a stereo Memory Man for that. The bridge humbucker seems nicly balanced and bright, and not all that out-putty which makes me suspect it really is not a Dimebag pickup. I may leave it in. I don't use the neck pickup all that much on a twelve, as mushy neck tone sucks the life out of the twelve string tone if you ask me. On my TSL 50 set clean, the little sucker sounds really nice! Brighter and jangly-er than my EDS 1270 Gibson. I like it. I really do.

The guy I swapped with claimed to have the Dean for 3 weeks. I believe him. It had the little stickers on the back of the neck and a lousy setup. Pickups were a bit close to the strings and the output jack was loose. Neck relief seems about right so I didn't adjust the neck, but I spent about an hour intonating and setting the action. Stays in tune great now, and intonation is spot-on. (It was quite a bit off until I got my tools out.)It is fun to play and I can solo on this one... usually avoided on 12's. I traded him one hell of an unusual Fotoflame Strat - blueburst with rosewood and a Floyd, I felt the Dean had potential to be good, so value-wise I know he got the best of the bargain, but I got what I need. Oh yeah... the finish which seems to be polyurethane is really glossy and nice. I'm not crazy about the matte finish on the neck. The nut is cut really well too. No fret edges to complain about.

I don't see why this guitar wouldn't hold up to gigging. I worry more about damaging a $3K doubleneck, so I won't be fretting about a $300 Dean. I am looking forward to using it at my next show. I'll decide after a gig or two if the pickups stay, but my initial inclination is that they are keepers. I would never gig with a 12 only, so a "backup" is automatic with a 6. I give the guitar an "Obama 9" since, like a Nobel Prize I am expecting good things to come down the road.

Hmmm.... I didn't exactly buy this one, so does Dean really owe me support? If I ever contact them, I'll let you know.

I'm an "old guy" and I have lots of high end gear and really nice mid to low end stuff. If something doesn't work for me it is toast. If a guitar cost me $100 and puts a smile on my face, its a keeper. If the Dean were lost or stolen I'd look in my studio and see what I had to trade for another one! My favorite feature seems to be that it is really fun to play and once I gave it a going-over it stays intonated and stays in tune. It is just what I needed in a single neck twelve. Since I won't likely be using the neck pickup, master tone and volume is all I need. Another reviewer equated this setup with "student" guitars, but I beg to differ. I am looking across my studio at a USA Hamer that cost me $3200 with the same electronic arrangement. When I play, I don't want to be trying to configure knobs for every pickup selection. I only need one volume.

22 frets, single-ply bound, satin finished maple bolt-on neck with rosewood fingerboard and abalone dot markers. Hybrid body style/shape between a LP double-cut and a 335, with this one being a semi-hollowbody. Stop tailpiece and TOM-type bridge with 6 saddles. 12, genuine Grover mid-sized 18:1 chrome tuners. Single tone and volume controls with gold speed knobs with 3-way selector switch. Dean Zebra/Dimebag humbucker PUPS; mahogany body with faux flame, archtop cap. Korean made; purchased the Dean EVO hardshell case, which fits it perfectly, and is very well built. This instrument DOES NOT fit into a LP case as some reviewers elsewhere have indicated.

Looking for a decent quality electric 12-string to cover Beatles, Byrds, Petty, etc. I normally play through either a Fender BandMaster tube head or a VOX AC30 HW head and an Avatar 2X12 cab with a Celestion Lead 80 and a Vintage 30 driver. The guitar produces a very rich, full 12-string sound that tends to the warm side, likely because of all the mahogany and the center block design. The sustain is phenominal, especially for a bolt-on neck model. I had considered the Sarasota 12, which is the same instrument with a set neck and full mahogany neck, but cannot see the justification for an additional $200 over this model.

Some folks have commented on the difficulty of making changes to or replacing the electronics, and I would imagine they do not own a Casino, ES335, or similar archtop hollow or semi-hollowbody, where all the work is done through the f-holes. I was not pleased to find mini-pots installed, which are less costly and easier to assemble, although they were quiet. My instrument jack was tweaked loose, and the 3-way switch rattled in the center position, so I gutted it. Given the tone being sought as described above, I used two, 300K full-size, Stackpole vintage pots, a .015uF, 400V Sprague 225 Series Orange Drop tone capacitor, and replaced the Dean Zebra PUPS with a set of GFS Dream 90 single-coils in a humbucker format with chrome covers and 8-8.5K output. If your eyes were closed, you would not be able to tell my jangle and bell-tone from any Ric. Frankly, I don't know who in the world needs a pair of buckers that are built for Vendetta's or Razor's for head-banging metal in a 12-string electric. The action and set-up were perfect as was the intonation, although I had concerns about only six saddles, this is a stable, easy to adjust platform. Fretwork and neck was perfect, and the low action afforded a lot of ease in playing the 9-46 D'Addario strings that came on it. I purchased the Amberburst faux flame finish and with the natural mahogany back and sides with the creme body binding, it is a VERY attractive instrument and extremely well detailed.

This model is built to take on the real world, and then some. Nice, even polyester finish on the body, and overall excellent woodwork. Hardware, especially the Grovers, is rock solid and dependable. After initial tuning and string stretch, I played hard well over an hour without any pitch drift. Nice, graphite nut with the string slots properly cut! Strap buttons are equally heavy duty and work well with my Planet Waves quick release-type straps.

No clue; don't plan to contact them.

Have been playing since the British Invasion, if that registers. Given the overall high quality of build and the physical components and assembly, you're best advised to consider this a platform for creating your own sound, which with a few extra dollars for the desired components and some time and care, creates an exceptional and very personalized instrument. I'd replace this in a NY minute, if it were stolen or damaged, and perform the same mods. I was disappointed that such a finely built guitar from a Korean factory had such utter crap in the way of every single piece of electronics, save the PUPS, and there again, the general player seeking a 12-string electric does not want the tonal and output qualities of these zebra humbuckers. I don't think Dave Mustaine is going to break one of these out during a set with Megadeath! The Jay Turser 12's are pretty low-end build quality, and the Galveston URK/Ric copies are getting hard to get and have had the price jump WAY up to almost $600! As for a Ric 330 or 360-12, can't say anything bad about the "original," but how many hobbiest or semi-pro players can really afford those prices. I don't find this guitar unbalanced or neck-heavy, especially considering the semi-hollow design and smaller body size. If you have stubby, rounded fingertips with years of calous, you will appreciate the very wide radius of this neck, which I'd estimate at 14-16. While this width does make barre chords a bit more challenging and somewhat reduces your speed, you will quickly appreciate the clairty and accuracy with which you can make open and most power barre chord shapes. The overall quality of the fingerboard and fretwork is simply outstanding!

Previous reviews have pretty-well covered features.

Only one single volume and tone control for 2 pickups is a slight downgrade from even the beginner standards.

Very HEAVY construction, body panels about twice the thickhness of a Ric, and I don't see how a tech could ever replace any of the electronics.

Jangly like a Ric 12. About 70% of the sound at 15% of the price is a good deal for me in an occasional guitar.

Very nice delivered from the factory. Tuned it and let it adjust to our more extreme AZ climate for 24 hours, and it was still 99% in tune.

Tuning pegs are little close together.

Comes very close to my Ric 330-12 in fit-and-finish.

Don't be the poor guy who has to fiddle with electronics, because outside of taking a saw to the back I don't see how you can replace a ship in a bottle.

Otherwise, seems very solid, but they could have spent a few Korean dollars to install a pick-guard.

I'm a snowbird hobbyist/amateur collector and a big Beatles fan. I wanted something to use occasionally south of the Canadian border because dragging expensive guitars such as a 330-12 across the border 2 times a year is a hassle.

The Dean works fine, I just wish I had checked the weigth before buying it, because I am used to much lighter gear. But on the plus side, I suppose it's built heavy to deal with the 12-strings.

Basic and clean. I use my amp and effects for my features, no need to clutter up this simple, fine instrument.

Absolutely beautiful

Absolutely beautiful, perfect right out of the box. Tune and play. Very low tight action and amazingly easy to play.

I know some owners complained about this instrument staying in tune and the neck being to heavy. First, mine stays in perfect tune. I think that some owners should learn how to string a guitar so that the strings don't slip through the tuners. The Grover tuners are flawless. Second, a 12 string guitar does have a heavier neck and headstock then 6 string guitars. FACT!!! Live with it or don't play a 12 string. The neck weight is very easy to get used to and it really is not bad. It is noticeable at most. The hollow body reduces the weight of the body so much that the neck ends up being heavier then the body. However, a lighter instrument is always welcomed in my opinion. This instrument is extremely well built, heavy duty. It will easily hold up on the road and on stage as a work horse. Of coures there are those out there that can break anything so for the sake of common sense I'll refer to those with a brain in this instance.

Not needed so far and don't really think I will. As far as I know these are only marketed through the Musicians Friend/Guitar Center/Music123/....... family of instrument and music gear merchants. Yes they are all the same company with differant covers. If you ever delt with any of these you'll know that warrenty issues are no issue. If you don't like what you get send it back for a refund. If you need help with you instrument just call and they help. What could be more simple!!! I have never been disappointed with the above listed merchants customer service. Deans warrenty on this guitar is 5 years.

I never thought about purchasing a Dean guitar before as I really don't care for the head banger image they insist on portraying. Until now that is. If you want a quality electric 12 string without selling one of your children to raise the cash to purchase it, buy a BOCA 12!!! You will not be disappointed!!!!

For this price, you don't expect anything but standard features and that's what you get. Two hot wired humbuckers. one volume control, one tone control, 3 way selector switch.

I played it through a modified pro jr and a spider 30 with a 4 piece band. Using D'Addario EXL150 strings, sound was thin, not as warm as I'd like but that's personal preference. Seems to be electronically
sound, no noise, buzzing, ect.

This is where I was real impressed. Out of the box, this thing was flawless in looks and set up. Beautiful finish. Nothing loose or mared. Action and intonation was excellent.

Had it a week and played it with band. Stayed in tune, (A-440).
Seems well built. Like I told the lady from (GM) Detroit who called a month afte a purchased a new Astro van 11 years ago. Call me in ten years and I'll tell ya how durable it is. Van has 132K and still going. I think this guitar will go the Distance.

This guitar seems to be very vell made and set up with a beautiful finish and excellent craftmanship.
I give it an 8 overall because of the thin sound compared to what I'm use to hearing but for the money, it's a fine instrument. A solid platform to do a modification or two to get the sound I want.
The ability to split coils would have been a plus.

12 string with 2 humbuckers, wide rosewood on maple neck

Pickups are very hot for a 12 string...could probably use a slightly more "vintagy" sounding humbucker or coil splitting capabilities.

Guitar jangles away nicely. Great price for a 12 string compared to a Ric, which I find difficult to play considering the neck is the same width as their 6 string.

Not great. Finish already worn around edges and barely used. Cracks in finish by tuning pegs. Guitar does not like to stay in tune..makes me worry about durability of the neck. Guitar plays nicely, though.

I don't think this guitar will stay in tune for more than a few songs live, which is all I'm using it for anyway, but no way would I make this my primary guitar.

Good deal for a 12 string, but you get what you pay for.

This is a straight-ahead instrument. No extras, but everything works just as it should. Construction seems precise. No visible flaws. Solidly assembled. It's a bit top heavy, and tips on a strap, but I've adjusted my playing style, and grip the upper part of the body with my right forearm to compensate (i don't even realize that I do it anymore. Easy to get used to). Besides, with a double-long headstock, 12 tuning machines, and a semi-hollow body, anything is liable to be a little on the tippy side.

I give it an 8 on features, even though it has few because it just works. No issues.

Sounds great. The pickups are strong. If I was really concerned, I'd just put some hot rail humbuckers in it. It seems to handle everything well unmodified, though.

It feels natural to play, and it was flawlessly constructed. This is the first instrument I bought sight-unseen, so I was a bit nervous, but after trying it out, I was relieved, and excited.

My only real qualm with the guitar is that it won't hold tune to save it's life. The only way it's really been useful is for studio applications. I have to tune it before each take. I find that it slips pretty easily. This is NOT a live instrument, unless you're playng noise-based experimental music. The tuning slip may be a improvisational advantage for this.

Everything else is solid.

never tried.

If this guitar would hold tune, it would probably take the place of my others. As it is, I have an aria pro Cardinal that I tend to favor. I like everything about the 12 string, and for the price, you won't find anything better put together. However some reinforcement bars in the neck and/or better tuning machines would be very welcome. Graphite nut doesn't really help, nor did widening the slots.

It's awesome, except for its tuning stability.

Solid construction and simple controls; Black gloss finish with talon style f holes; semi-hollow body; Grover tuners hold the tune extremely well, nice feature for a 12 string!

Dean pickups carry the sound well; full rich sound; nice jangle!

The neck is HEAVY and a little wide for my little hands; no flaws of any kind noted in the construction; some wires showing through the f hole as others have mentioned, these easily tucked away.

Very solid. I have little doubt this guitar can withstand the hurricanes of performance.

Not tried the support.

I researched this guitar (here, actually) before deciding to buy; lucky to find a great buy on ebay. I have not yet played the 12 string enough to know if I could'nt live without it; but I do appreciate the looks and solid build of the beautiful guitar. I find fretting on this guitar challenging, but then I'm not accustomed to a 12 string. Overall I do give it a solid 10 for a well made guitar at a very reasonable price.

THe Guitar is a good value, it has a tune-o-matic 6 saddle bridge
I would be curious HOW they got the electronics into the guitar, and only hope I don't have to replace the switch or pots!! The back is solid with no access plate, only the F holes in front I agree with other posters here.

Good twang, sounds very similar to the Ric (IMHO) I like the wider neck, which to my hand seems just right for 12 strings. Easy to pick the courses are "just right" for me anyway, is 12 string bright, with a fine sound from the dual HB's

The guitar is only available from Musicians friend, don't even bother to try to find one at your local music dealer to try out, ask Dean & Musicians friend what guage strings are on it. NO ANSWER (only guesses) the tailpiece seems asymetrical to the bridge the bass strings angle More than the treble, the finish on mine is very smooth. The guitar came with rusted strings, and was tuned four semitones too high!! the strings were overstretched and I didn't like the intonation, after adjusting to no avail I put fresh strings on it, and it setup pretty good. I haven't made up my mind on buying the 12 saddle bridge from allparts.

It looks rugged, it is a 12 string though, but the neck seems rugged. I bought the dean case at the same time and they packaged the guitar in the case for shipping. I would use it with out anther 12 string for backup... but it is the only 12 string electric I will own.

The questions presale I had went unanswered at the Dean Web site. Someone else there posted similar questions, and they were unanswered, we both ask the Head Dean, but got no reply, the "Dean GODS" said he was really busy and had no time to answer all the questions he recieved!! ( the question I asked Ric was answered by the head guy in 5 min by e-mail) I was told by one of the "Dean Gods" that the guitar was only available at Musicians friend, seems no one wants to take ownership of this guitar. still don't know what guage strings were preinstalled, I don't know what it is made of, what you see at musicians friend is all you got to go on. But they offer an attractive money back if not satified so.... I CAN SAY I AM SATISFIED I won't be sending it back.. lack of presale support REALLY turns me off..

I have been playing 20+ years first (and last) 3 years REALLY playing
I have things I wish were answered before I bought the guitar, I would Replace this with the exact same guitar, only because the Ric neck is too narrow :-( for me. I love the black finish, and the cut of the body, the knobs are cool, I wish it had a 12 saddle bridge, (dean Service did recomend allparts for one)

This Korean made semi-hollow body seems to have the features that I need in an electric 12 string. At first I was suprised by the use of two humbuckers without the option of a coil tap, but the jangle cuts right through. The guitar is finished in what Dean calls the "Classic Black" finish (it is only available in this finish). The rosewood fingerboard is smooth and comfortable. It has your basic 3 way toggle, Grover tuners, Tune-O-Matic Bridge,and 1 Volume/1 Tone Controls. The rosewood fingerboard is smotth and comfortable. It comes with a very thin cable and a neck adjustment wrench.

This will not be my main guitar. I play very straight ahead midwestern garage rock. My main stage guitars ar a Fender Telecaster Plus and a Gretsch Nashville, but this 12 string will come in very handy in the studio. The humbuckers are very quiet through my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. It has a very sommoth tone up and down the fretboard.

Everything was set up pretty good. As another reviewer wrote, some of the pickup wires were loose and showing through an F-hole (they pressed right back into place). I was suprised by the raw wood look inside of the guitar. The action and pickup height was right where I wanted it.

The guitar seems durable enough to withstand the rigors of live playing, however I probably won't be taking this one on the road. The finish seems nice and the strap buttons are solid. The buttons better be solid, because this is one top heavy guitar (even less balanced that Ovation super shallow bodies). While the guitar is dependable, I never go to a gig without a backup.

The guitar has a 5 year warranty. I emailed Dean trying to track one down when Musicians Friend was out of stock (they got back to me quickly, but basically told me I would have to wait for Musicians Friend).

I've been playing for about 20 years, my drunken brother walked off with my acoustic 12 string several years ago, and it took me quite awhile to get another 12. I mainly play Fenders and Gretschs, but I do own a couple of Rickenbackers and a Gibson Les Paul Junior. I compared it to the Danelectro 12s and the Dearmond S-7312. I probably would have gone with the Dearmond if I could have found one in stock (I have been amazed at the quality of the inexpensive Dearmond guitars) , but I'm glad I got the Dean. The semi-hollow works better for the jangly sound. A coil tap would be nice, if I really want it, I can get it done, but I probably won't